The importance of physical therapy or physiotherapy for fractures

After experiencing a fracture or fracture, you will usually need to undergo therapy to help with the healing process. One of the most common treatments for fracture sufferers is physiotherapy or physical therapy after fracture treatment, including after surgery. So, how is this therapy done? Are there other types of therapy that need to be done for fracture sufferers?

What is physical therapy or physiotherapy for fractures?

Physiotherapy is a form of treatment that uses physical techniques to improve movement, reduce pain and stiffness, and speed up the healing process and improve quality of life. This form of treatment is generally used for someone who has certain disabilities, injuries, or illnesses, including broken bones.

For people with fractures, physiotherapy is useful for restoring strength and function of muscles and movement systems that tend to be stiff after the fracture occurs and during treatment. This will certainly help you get back to normal activities and reduce the risk of permanent stiffness, especially if the fracture occurs near or through the joint.

Who will give physical therapy for fractures?

Physiotherapy for fractures needs to be performed by specially trained and registered practitioners, also known as physiotherapists. You can generally find a physiotherapist for fractures at a hospital, health center, or health clinic.

Additionally, some sports clubs may have physiotherapists, and some may even offer home physical therapy services. However, you should still consult with your doctor first to find a physiotherapist who is registered, trusted, and right for your condition.

Who needs to undergo physical therapy for fractures?

Generally, most fracture patients require physical therapy during the healing and recovery period, including patients with any fracture type and anywhere in the bone. For example, a patient with a leg and leg fracture may need physiotherapy to help with walking, a fracture of the hand and arm to help grasp or reach objects, and so on.

Even if the bone that is fractured is just a fracture (stress fracture), physical therapy can really help you get back to normal activities and prevent the injury from occurring again.

However, the duration of physiotherapy, when the therapy is carried out, as well as the form of exercise and therapy given can vary from patient to patient. Apart from the type of fracture and the location of the affected bone, this also depends on the severity of the fracture on the bone structure that is experienced.

On the other hand, Intermountain Healthcare said that most children who experience fractures do not need physiotherapy after being declared cured. Doctors generally will only advise your child to slowly do activities and skip exercise for a few weeks until the bones are really stable.

Consult your doctor and physiotherapist for more information on this, including whether you need post-treatment physiotherapy for your fracture.

When is physical therapy for a fracture done?

Physiotherapy for fractures can be performed at two times, namely during the immobilization period (while the cast is still in place or after surgery) and after the bone has been declared healed and recombined (when the cast has been removed). Not all fractures will undergo physiotherapy at both times. Here's the explanation for you.

Physiotherapy during the treatment period

Physical therapy during immobilization or fracture treatment is generally performed for specific purposes, such as:

• Reduces swelling and pain from fractures.
• Helps blood circulation to the area of ​​the broken bone.
• Maintain muscle function.
• Maintain joint range of motion.
• Teaching the patient to use crutches, sticks, slings, or other aids and supports.

During this time, the physiotherapist usually only exercises light movements, which the patient can then do on his own regularly and regularly at home. However, under certain conditions, patients may need to be hospitalized while undergoing this therapy.

On the other hand, in some fractures, physiotherapy during immobilization and postoperative fracture may not be required as long as light movements can be performed by the patient alone. However, getting proper physical therapy during this time can prevent many of the problems that may occur when a cast or other support device is removed.

Physiotherapy after the fracture has healed

More complete physical therapy will generally be performed after the broken bone has healed. This means that the cast or other supporting device used has been removed and the doctor has confirmed that the broken bone has put back together.

At this time, physiotherapy is performed on fracture sufferers to:

• Reduces swelling.
• Fully restores joint motion.
• Restores full muscle strength.
• Helps return to normal activities.

Shehab M. Abd El-Kader, a professor of physical therapy at King Abdulaziz University, said that swelling often occurs after a cast or other fracture fixation device is removed. However, this swelling should not be a serious problem if light movements are applied correctly while the cast is still in use.

Physiotherapy at this time needs to be started as soon as possible after the cast is removed. The movement exercises and forms of therapy that are carried out are more intensive than before. You may need to do physiotherapy every day in a hospital or certain therapy clinic with a more varied pattern of movement.

The length of therapy after the bone heals can take a long time, depending on the severity of your fracture. You can undergo therapy for months or even years until your condition has completely recovered.

A common form of physiotherapy for fractures is given

Reporting from the NHS, broadly speaking, there are three main approaches that physiotherapists will take during physical therapy. The three approaches, namely:

• Education and advice

The physiotherapist will provide advice and information about things that can affect your daily life, such as how to properly lift or carry items and so on that help speed up the healing process.

• Movement and physical exercise

The physiotherapist will practice certain movements to increase your mobility and strengthen certain body parts. The form of motion exercises that will be given can be different for each patient, depending on the location of the broken bone.

With a collarbone (shoulder) fracture, light movements in the arms and elbows will be exercised while the cast is in place or after surgery to reduce stiffness. Movement and a more complete form of physiotherapy, including to the shoulder, will be added after the bone is declared healed.

Meanwhile, in forearm fractures, either upper or lower arm, light physiotherapy movements on the hands and shoulders will be performed after surgery or while the fracture cast is still in place. You can also make more intensive movements of the arm after the bone has healed or has fused back together.

As for wrist fractures, light movements will be exercised in the finger and shoulder area to prevent muscle weakness and reduced flexibility in that area. After the cast is removed, physiotherapy will also be performed on the wrist area.

Physiotherapy can also be performed directly by people with pelvic fractures the day after the operation is performed. Movement exercises generally start from the bed with your legs stretched out, bending your legs, moving your ankles, or even trying to walk with the help of crutches or sticks.

• Manual therapy

The physiotherapist will use their hands to massage, mobilize, and stretch parts of your body to help relieve symptoms of a fracture, such as pain and stiffness, relax your body, and improve blood circulation.

However, the physiotherapist will be very careful in performing the massage. This is because the wrong massage, movement, or exercise can slow down the healing process or lead to complications, such as nonunion (a broken bone does not reconnect).

In addition to the above approaches, physiotherapy during the treatment period, including postoperative fracture, can also be done in other forms, such as acupuncture and hydrotherapy (physical therapy performed in water).

In spinal fractures, especially those associated with osteoporosis, hydrotherapy is generally the choice to start physiotherapy at this time. Other motion exercises to restore strength in the back muscles will begin as soon as the bone is declared healed.

Another type of therapy that is commonly used for fracture sufferers

In addition to the physical therapy above, some fractures may require other types of therapy or exercises to help with the healing process. Several types of therapy or exercises that may be done, namely:

• Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is a form of care to train patients to carry out daily activities independently and safely during the recovery period, such as dressing, bathing, washing, preparing food, and so on. During this therapy, the therapist will determine whether you need to use certain adaptive equipment to facilitate activities during your recovery period.

Commonly used tools, such as trolleys to help carry items, long handles to reach hard-to-reach items underneath, and so on. This occupational therapy can be done by people with any fracture, but it is often done for people with hip or spinal fractures, including the neck.

• Breathing exercises

Patients with broken ribs will generally find it difficult to breathe. Therefore, people with rib fractures generally need therapy or breathing exercises by medical personnel or therapists to speed up the healing process and prevent complications.

Breathing exercises are generally done every day while you are on your treatment. The medic or therapist will show you the correct position during the exercise and it will be performed and you will be asked to inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth. During this process, the therapist may order a spirometer to measure the amount of air that is inhaled.

In addition, you may be asked to cough deeply from your stomach down your throat, and cough up phlegm if there is phlegm in it. This exercise needs to be done regularly and regularly according to the instructions of your medical personnel and therapist.

• Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a therapy for dealing with mental problems. During psychotherapy, you will learn about conditions and moods, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. With this therapy, the therapist will help you take control of your life and cope with any challenging situations.

Generally, psychotherapy may be needed for patients with spinal fractures or neck fractures. The reason is, an injury to the bone is at risk of causing trauma to the spinal cord, which can cause loss of sensation, strength, or other bodily functions. In fact, as reported by the Mayo Clinic, injuries to the spine can affect aspects of life, including mental, emotional, and social.